Roy Keane warns disgruntled Manchester United stars not to be ‘cry-babies’ as pressure on Jose Mourinho grows

The former club captain insists players have a duty to perform on the pitch regardless of their feelings

Roy Keane has warned Manchester United’s players not to be “cry-babies” about Jose Mourinho’s management style as dressing room tensions at Old Trafford continue to escalate.

Mourinho has fallen out publicly with Paul Pogba, stripping the France international of the United vice-captaincy last month and engaging in a frosty training-round exchange with his star midfielder that was captured on TV cameras.

Many others in the squad have reportedly been alienated by Mourinho’s frequent public criticism of their performances, as well as his inconsistent tactical approach during the four-match winless run in all competitions that has intensified the speculation about his future.

“We talk about footballers and managers, not every player is going to get on with the manager, the manager is not going to like every player,” Keane told Notts TV.

“But what you do as a footballer, and whatever disagreements I've had with one or two managers, when you cross that line, you play for your team.

“I don't care what fallout you've had with your manager, I don't care if you've been at each other's throats, because that is part of the industry, people do fall out.

“It happens in other industries, but unfortunately when you're Man United – one of the biggest clubs in the world – things will get exaggerated.

United are on a four-game winless run in all competitions (REUTERS)

“But if you're a footballer for Manchester United and you put that jersey on and you walk out and you don't give 100 per cent because you might be upset with somebody, then, no, good luck to Mourinho.”

United’s worst start to a league season for 29 years has been compounded by the ongoing tensions between Mourinho and Pogba, who has reportedly been banned from speaking to the media by his manager after making comments critical of the team’s tactical approach.

Keane is no stranger to bust-ups, having clashed explosively with Sir Alex Ferguson and assistant Carlos Queiroz before leaving United in acrimonious circumstances in November 2005, but he is adamant that it is a player’s responsibility not to let off-field issues affect his performances.

“Players who get upset with a manager, or coaching staff, and think, ‘I'm not going to train properly because somebody upset me’ – there's a lot of cry-babies out there, lots of cry-babies,” he added.

“When you walk out on that pitch, you're playing for your pride, you're playing for your family, you're playing for your city, whatever it may be. Don't get that worried about what the manager said about you or the coaching staff. You get out there and play.

“You can fall out after the match, but when the game's going on, liven up, play with pride, play with energy, play with spirit.

“Hopefully play with a bit of skill, but you can't always play with skill. You can have a bad day, but on your bad days you roll up your sleeves and you fight for that jersey and don't get distracted by the balloons out there.”